Telescoping support for a tray having a tiltable head



L. E. DUBACH Feb. 10, 1953 TELESCOPING SUPPORT FOR A TRAY HAVING A TILTABLE HEAD 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Feb. 5, 1950 3 Imentor ena {mf/2a aac/f MM ff/2,4%

.| E. DUBACH Feb. 10, 1953 TELESCOPING SUPPORT FOR A TRAY HAVING A TILTABLE HEAD 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 3. 1950 dttornegs Patented Feb. 10, 1953 TELESCOPING SUPPORT FOR A TRAY HAVING A TILTABLE HEAD Lena Emma Dubach, Kansas City, Mo.

Application February 3, 1950, Serial No. 142,239

1 Claim.

This invention relates to hospital tray supports and more particularly to a portable and adjustable tray support adapted for use in operating rooms or as a serving tray or table for bed patients.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a table or tray having a telescoping standard adjustable vertically and removable as desired; to provide a table or tray of this character for use crosswise of the patients body and adapted for supporting instruments during an operation; to provide support for the usual tray on which food is served to a patient crosslwise of a bed; to provide a tubular standard for housing the telescoping tubular member, sprfng and vacuum controlled for adjustment vertically; to provide means on the telescoping member for lubricating the standard; and to yprovide a device of this character simple and efficient in operation.

In accomplishing these and other objects of invention I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the invention with parts broken away and particularly showing the tray in partly collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional View taken on a line 4--4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on a line 5 5, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on a line $--6, Fig- 2.

Fig. 'I is a cross sectional view through the tray portion of the device.

Fig. 8 is an elevational cross sectional view, particularly illustrating the sealing and lubricating of the telescoping standard;

Fig. 9 is a modified form of the head portion of my device particularly illustrating the adjustability of the tray or table portion to different positions.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a tray support embodying the features of my invention comprising a substantially fla-t horizontally disposed b-ase 2 of T-shape consisting of a cross arm having ends 3 and 4 and a longitudinal arm 5 extending from the midpoint of the cross arm to provide stability in three directions, and wherein said arms provide a housing for casters 6 at the outer end of eac-h arm secured thereto by rivets or the like as indicated at 6', so that the table may be easily moved from place to place as desired.

Located substantially equidistant from the ends of the arms 3 and 4 and at the base of the arm 5 is an upstanding tubular boss 1 open at upper and lower ends thereof to receive therein the lower end of a tubular standard 8 having its top open as indicated at 9 and its bottom end I0 closed. The boss 'I extends below the top II of the base as indicated at I2 (Fig. 2). Slidably mounted in the tubular standard is a tubular extension member I3. A collar I4 surrounds the upper end of the standard 8 and through which the tubular extension member I3. The collar I4 includes a skirt portion sleeved over the upper end of the tubular standard and which is secured thereto by Allen set screws I5. The collar also includes a guide portion having a bore of less diameter than the inner diameter of the tubular standard to provide an interior annular shoulder IG registering with the end of the standard for retaining therebetween a ring Il of fibrous lmaterial. This ring is lubricated to lubricate the extension member and also to provide aseal between the member and collar. The upper end of guide portion of the collar I4 is beveled as indicated at I for .a pur-pose later described.

Mounted on the upper end of the tubular extension member I3 is a head I9 having a recess or bore II adapted to receive .a lug I8' of a plug I9 -tted into the tubular member I3, and Secured thereto by swedging or other suitable manner. The recess Il' of a size to make a tight nt for the lug I8' which is pressed thereinto.

Mounted centrally of the tubular standard 8 and secured to the bottom thereof by welding or other suitable means is an upstanding rod 20 serving as a guide for a coil spring 2| having its upper end engaging against the plug I9 of the head I9 of the tubular member I3 to exert tension against said head to raise the tubular member in the standard 8. The upper end of the rod 2U is beveled to facilitate movement of the spring thereover. The end of the tubular member I3 extending within the standard 3 is providedv with spaced sealing rings 22 and 23 at its lower end and secured thereto by set screws 24. A fabric or composition ring 25 is provided between the rings 22 and 23. A ring 23' is secured to the tubular member I3 by set screws 25 and spaced from the rings 22 and 23, all of the rings providing a seal between the standard 8 and tubular member I3.

The closed end IIJ of the tubular standard 8 is provided with a small opening r26 for release of air from the chamber 21 in the standard 8 and tubular member I3. It will be obvious that an air pressure and partial vacuum will be created Within the chamber 21 by sealing of the tubular member I3 in the standard 8 and the opening 26 serves as a bleeder or Vent for the air from the chamber.

The collar I4 is provided with a threaded opening 28 in one side thereof near the upper end adapted to align with a bore 28 in tubular standard I4 to receive a locking member 29 comprising a handle 3Q. The handle 30 has a threaded shank 3I engaging in the threaded opening 28 having its inner end engage a soft metal insert 32 adapted to apply pressure without injury to the side of the tubular member I3 as indicated at 33 (Fig. 5), so that the tubular member may be held at any desired position with respect to the standard 8. The tubular member I3 is provided on its outer surface with a longitudinal groove 34 adapted to align with a longitudinal groove 35 in the inner surface of the collar I4for receiving a key 36 for preventing rotation of the tubular member I3 with respect to the standard 8. The key is held in place by a pin 36 extending through a lateral opening 31 in the collar. The tubular standard 8 is held in the boss1 by set screws 38 extending through opening 38 in the respective sides of said boss.

Pivotally mounted upon the head I9 of the tubular extension member I3 by a pin or shaft 39 is. ahead 40, the shaft extending through openings in the head. The head 48 is hollow and comprises a housing adapted to engage over the head I9 and having depending sides 4I and 4I the lower edges of the sides are provided with enlarged portion 42 and 43 having bore openings 44 and 45v adapted to receive arms 4S and 41 spaced from each other and adapted to receive a pair of U-shaped brackets 48 and 49 with their arms extending upwardly as indicated at G. The arms 46 and 41 may be tubular members or solid rods. I have here illustrated the arms as tubular members to provide a light construction. The upper end of the arms 59 of the U-shaped brackets are provided with rubber cups 5I adapted to support a tray 52 having a depressed center formingA a surface 53 upon which the operating tools maybe placed for use when used in an operating room or upon which food may be placed when used as a tray over the bed of a patient. Thetray is. .provided with a depending flange 54 around the outer edge forming an annular recess 55 on the. underneath side of the tray in which the. rubber cups 5i on the ends of the brackets engage to support the tray thereon. The brackets 48 and-49 are rigidly secured to the arms 48 and 41 by welding or other suitable means.

The head I9 is provided with an extension 53 adapted to loosely engage the inside of the rear portion 51 of the head 4) and is provided with a groove or notch 58. The rear end 51 of the head ly is provided with an opening 59 adaptedY to receive the shank S) of a keeper member 5I having a. handle G2. The shank 55 has a shoulder 63xengaging against the outside surface of the head 43] and an enlarged endl 64- adapted to engage in the groove 58 of the head I9. A coil spring 65 surrounds the reduced portion of the shank between the shoulders 63 and G4 to provide4 tension on the locking member as is the usual practice. When the locking member engages the groove 58 of the head I9, the arms 4S and 41 and the tray thereon are held in horizontal position'. When the member is released from the head, the table or tray will drop to the position shown in Fig. 3 so that the tray may be moved out of the way when the device is not in use. The inner sides 4I and 4I' of the housing of the head 4B are recessed as indicated at 65 (Fig. 9) to provide more space in straddling the standard I3 and beveling of the top of the collar I4 as indicated at I8 allows the tray to be lowered to a greater extent. The enlarged portions 42 and 43 of the head 40 engage against this beveled portion as shown in Fig. 3.

Mounted on the T-shaped portion of the base 2 rearwardly of the boss 1 is a boss 65 adapted to receive a tubular member 66 of substantially the same height as the tubular standard 8 and is secured at its upper end to the standard by a bracket 61 by screws or the like 58 as is the usual practice. Adapted to reciprocate in the tubular member 66 is a rod 59 of a length when raised to extend above the table or tray 52 as indicated in Fig. 1 and the upper end is provided with a hook 1G for supporting a container for blood plasma, other compositions or the like (not shown). The upper end of the tubular member 66 is provided with a collar 1I having a threaded opening 12 adapted to receive the threaded shank 13 of a thumb nut 14, the inner end of the shank being adapted to engage against the rod 69 so that the rod may be adjusted to the desired height when in use and lowered out of the way in the tubular member 68 when not in use. The tubular member 65 with the rod as just above described is removably mounted on the base 2 and may be used as added equipment or removed and stored if not desired for use.

Operation of a device constructed and assembled as described is as follows:

The arms 4S and 41 supporting the table or tray 52 are first raised to horizontal position as shown in Fig. l and the keeper member 6I engaged in the notch of head I9 to retain the same in that position. Loosening of the locking member 29 by turning of the handle 30 will release the telescoping tubulaimember I 3 in the tubular standard 8 and the tension of the spring 2| will cause the table to automatically raise with respect to the standard. When it has reached the desired height for use over a patient in the operating room or in the hospital bed the locking handle is tightened to retain the telescoping member at the desired height. After the table has served its purpose in elevated position, the locking handle is again loosened and pressure exerted on the head 4D will cause the spring to be contracted, thus lowering the tubular standard I 3 against the pressure of the spring and also the air pressure created in the chamber 21 by raising of the telescoping member, the air escaping through the opening 25 in the bottom of the. tubular member. This arrangement provides an air cushioning effect of the telescoping member in addition to the resistance of the spring.

In Fig. 9 is illustrated a modified form of head for the tubular member I3 in which are notches or grooves 15 and 16 in the extension in the head I3 so that the table or tray 52 may be elevated to different positions. For instance, in Fig. 9 the table is elevated upwardly so that when in use in the operating room a doctor or attendant may work on the patient underneath the table if it becomes necessary and is desirable. Operation of the standard of this device is the same as in the preferred form of the invention.

The standard for hanging of blood plasma or other composition on the table may be used either in the operating room or with the patient in a hospital bed as desired and is adjustable to the `desired height as heretofore described by operation of the locking thumb screw 'Id so that the rod 69 may be raised to the ldesired height. The long arm 5 of the base 2 is adapted to be moved under the operating table or the bed of a patient in alignment with the tray 52 and is out of the way of persons working therearound.

The `device as illustrated in Fig. 9 may be used as a floot cradle if desired, in which event the table is placed at the foot of the bed, the long arm 5 of the base move-d under the bed and the table raised to slanting position as shown so that the bed clothes may be placed thereover to hold them off the feet and legs of the patient.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided :an approved hospital table or tray adjustable to the desired height, spring and vacuum `controlled and transportable from place to place as desired or which may be stored when not in luse in a substantially -compacted condition by lowering of the tray support with respect to the standard.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A support of the character described including a horizontally and flatly -disposed base having a cross arm and a longitudinal arm extending from the midpoint of the cross arm to provide for stability in three directions and having :a tubular bos-s projecting vertically substantially from the intersecting point of said arms and open at its upper and lower ends, a tubular standard having a closed lower end snugly engaged within the tubular boss and extending upwardly from said base, said closed end having a relatively small vent opening communicating with atmosphere through the lower open end of the boss, fastening devices exten-ding through the tubul-ar boss and engaging the tubular standard to -anchor the standard from rotation within the tubular boss and to secure said standard to the base, a collar having a skirt portion sleeved over the u-pper end of the tubular standard and having a guide portion provided with an axial bore of smaller diameter than the inner -diameter of the tubular standard, a yfastening device extending through said skirt portion and engaging the tubular standard to iix the collar rigidly to the standard, a tubular extension member slidable within the bore of the collar, said tubular extension member having a longitudinal groove extending along 6 the length thereof, a key xed in the bore of the guide portion of the collar and engaging in the groove to prevent turning of the tubular extenlsion member Within the tubular standard, upper and lower spaced apart rings encircling the lower end of the tubular extension member and fixed thereto for sliding contact with the tubular` standard, the upper of said rings forming a stop with said guide portion and the lower ring forming a sliding guide within the tubular standard for lcooperation with the guide portion of the collar to maintain coaxial relation of the tubular extension with respect to the tubular standard, said upper end of the tubular extension member being closed, a coil spring contained Within the tubular standard and tubular extension member and having one end bearing on the closed end of the tubul-ar standard and having its other end bearing constantly against the clos-ed end 0f the tubular extension member to normally effect projection of the tubular extension member, a rod carried by said closed bottom of the tubular standard and extending upwardly within the coil spring to form a concentric gui-de for the lower end lof the spring and to keep the spring out of contact with the lower end of the tubular extension member when the tubular extension member is moved downwardly into the tubular standard against action of the spring, and a locking member having a threaded shank within a threaded opening in the skirt portion of the collar and having an end projecting through a registering opening in the standard to engage the tubular extension member for retaining the tubular extension member in an adjusted position relatively to the tubular standard.

LENA EMMA DUBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS B611 Oct. 15,1940 

